Frequently asked questions

What is a health cash plan?
A health cash plan, is a low cost, cash based health insurance scheme. The plan pays you cash towards your everyday healthcare costs, such as dental check-ups and treatment, eye-sight tests, new glasses and contact lenses, diagnostic health consultations, health screening and therapy treatments such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic treatment, chiropody, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim cash for day-case surgery and nights spent in hospital, as well as if you have a baby, plus many more benefits.

Is a health cash plan the same as private medical insurance?
No, private medical insurance pays for treatment and operations performed privately. A health cash plan is a healthcare plan which complements the NHS by reimbursing bills for everyday health care treatments and also paying lump sum payments of hospital in-patient stays and recuperation. (For details of benefits please refer to the benefits table).

Who is eligible for this plan?
Applications are accepted from anyone age 17 or over at the time of application. Children can be covered on a family policy until their 18th birthday.

How do I apply?
Choose which level of cover best suits your needs, and complete an application form. You should return your application to: BHSF Limited, Gamgee House, 2 Darnley Road, Birmingham, B16 8TE.

Do I need a medical examination?
No, you do not need a medical examination. You will simple be asked to declare any pre-existing medical conditions on your application form.

How will I know if I have been accepted?
You will be sent a welcome pack containing your policy and full information.

When do I qualify for benefit?
You will be eligible to claim 13 weeks from the start date shown on your policy with the exception of policies that contain maternity payment, which carries a 10 month qualifying period.

What if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
You will not be able to make hospital-related claims which are connected to that problem for two years. However, you will be covered for all other benefits.

Is it easy to claim?
Yes. Simply pay your bill, complete your claim form and send it to BHSF with the original receipt, and subject to policy terms we will reimburse you up to your maximum benefit limit. All claims must be submitted within 13 weeks of the service/treatment. A claim form and full guidance on how to claim will be included within your welcome pack. Benefits are paid directly to you by credit transfer to your bank account or alternatively by cheque sent to you home address. Claims are usually paid within two - three working days. You can request a claim form by either calling our customer helpdesk or downloading one from the website.

Are the benefits taxable?
No, all payments are tax free.

What is my commitment?
Simply to pay your regular premiums and in return, subject to the policy details any insured person will be eligible to claim cash benefits. Subject to the terms of the policy it will be renewed each month for as long as premiums are paid. So there is no fixed plan term and you can cancel your plan at any time by giving us written notice.

Can I upgrade to a higher level of cover later?
Yes. You should review your cover periodically to ensure it remains adequate. If you wish to do so, you can apply to upgrade your level of cover. However, you must stay at the new level of cover for at least one year before you can downgrade, and a further waiting period applies.

What if I change my mind?
On approval of your application we will forward you your policy pack which includes the policy details of your plan and you policy schedule. Under Financial Services regulations, if you are not completely satisfied with the policy, simply notify us is writing within 14 days and we will cancel it. Provided a claim has not been paid, we will refund any premium collected.

What if I am unhappy with the service I receive from BHSF?
We take the concerns of our policyholders very seriously. If at any time you wish to make a comment or complain about any aspect of the service that you have received from BHSF, please write to BHSF Limited at: Gamgee House, 2 Darnley Road, Birmingham B16 8TE or by telephoning 0121 454 3601 and quoting your policy number. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Are BHSF Limited covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)?
Yes - BHSF Limited is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). You may be entitled to compensation from the scheme if we are unable to meet our obligations. Entitlement will depend on the type of business and circumstances of the claim. Further information about compensation scheme arrangements is available from the FSCS website www.fscs.org.uk.

BHSF also provide:

• Plan4Life cancer insurance
• Care4 life insurance
• BlueStar travel insurance
• BlueStar personal accident insurance
• Food intolerance testing
• Financial services
• Corporate health insurance plans
• Employee assistance programme
• Corporate health screening
• Occupational health
• Corporate employee benefits and absence management initiatives
• Childcare vouchers
• Benefit communication strategies

For further information about the health cash plan or any of the other products BHSF provides, please call our customer helpdesk on 0121 629 1297 or contact us at sales@bhsf.co.uk